Sukma – Battle for the heart of the Maoist dominion

Located near the junction of three states - Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra – Sukma lies at the very heart of the “Red Corridor”.

Naxal attack -- representative image&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspAP

Sukma has been bloodied again. Over 100 Maoists set up an ambush near Kistaram, 30 km from the district headquarters, and blew up an anti-landmine vehicle using an IED. Nine brave CRPF jawans were martyred in the craven attack. One died later during treatment and five injured (four critically) personnel are being treated in hospital.

The southernmost district of Chhattisgarh has been the theatre of some of the fiercest battles between the security forces and the Maoists - who consider the region as the de-facto capital of their self-construed “liberated zone”.

A determined push by the security forces saw the government taking up construction of two roads - one connecting Dornapal to Jagargunda and the other Injram to Bhejji – through the very core of this area, unsettling the Maoists.

Sukma is one of the most militarised districts in the country with over 10,000 security personal fanning out across the 5600 sq km area of the district but it remains an unequal war.

On one side are the security men, generally from central paramilitary forces, and on the other are the hardened Maoists who know every nook and corner of the jungle terrain and have an extensive network of informers at the village level.

Numerical strength doesn’t matter in jungle warfare. Understanding the theatre and devising strategies to take advantage of the terrain is what makes the difference.

Add to it the extensive network of 'Janatana Sarkar', a sort of people's government, run by Maoists in the region for over a decade, the ultras score on the most critical of elements – human intelligence.

Though the security forces have strengthened their intelligence network in the area but little active support from the villagers has meant that the situation on the ground continues to remain on the edge.

Our brave jawans are tearing through the very heart of Naxal territory by providing security cover to the road construction workers. The security forces have also inflicted heavy causalities on the Maoists - over 1,400 Naxals were neutralised (have been killed, arrested or have surrendered) in 2017.

But the ultras are resisting the drawing up of new lines; roads, that have the potential to open the region to prosperity, with all their might.

Sukma – Battle for the heart of the Maoist dominionDescription:Located near the junction of three states - Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra – Sukma lies at the very heart of the “Red Corridor”.Times Now